AOUDAD or BARBARY SHEEP
One of the most exciting exotics to hunt that I know of, are Aoudad sheep. But not everyone agrees, because as with many things in life, you either like them or you dont. As a popular TV commercial of the 1960s stated, they can take a lot of punishment and still keep on ticking (running). Not only are these animals wary, in some cases making our native whitetail seem tame, the creator also made them very tough. I once witnessed a mature ram take several of a hunters best shots from a .30-06 shooting 165gr. premium hunting loads, before deciding to make tracks to parts unknown. He was later found over a mile away from the spot where he had administered a dose of humility to an expert shot.
The Aoudad sheep are the only representative of the scientific genus Amotragus, of which there are several sub-species. Introduction of Aoudad into the wild in the US, by private sources, first took place in Llano and Kerr counties of Texas in the early 1950s. This was followed by more releases in the west Texas county of Brewster in the mid 50s and over a large part of the central and southern part of the state in the late 50s. Sometime later the State of Texas introduced the species into the Palo Duro Canyon area, where today, with an established season, they are a major hunting attraction.
For purposes of the TGR record keeping system, Aoudad are included in the broad category of conic horned game. Their sweeping horns arise from high on top of the head and curve up and back before turning down and in at the tops. Rarely will you find an Aoudad with the tips of its horns broomed, as is common in many other species of sheep. This is due to the in-curving characteristic of the horns. Both sexes can have horns. Even though some ewes can grow impressive sets, it is the males that have considerably larger horns, which are much longer and heavier at the base. Record lengths can exceed 85 cm with the girth at the base being in excess of 34 cm.
The average weight of an adult male will be in the vicinity of 225 to 300 pounds. This will depend upon the age and body condition of the specimen. Females will usually be much lighter, weighing in at around 125 to 200 pounds. A mature male will stand about 39 inches at the shoulder while a mature female will average 36 inches.
The pelage, of these mountain goats from the Atlas Mountains of northern Africa, is a uniform tawny, sandy, reddish color that covers them from head to tail. Both sexes have a mane that extends from the upper neck to between the front legs. They also have tufts of hair on the mid and lower foreleg that are known as chaps. The mane and chaps will be considerably more pronounced on a mature male. Older males tend to appear darker because, as they mature, dark hairs begin to appear in their coat along the mid-line dorsal fin and in the mane and chaps. This is a distinguishing characteristic that has to be taken into account when looking for older trophy class males.
The overall appearance of these fine animals will remind you of most of the rest of the wild sheep of the world, except for the heavy mane and chaps. Also, their hindquarters are smaller, thus giving them the appearance of being all chest and high at the withers.
Sportsmen hold the trophy quality of these animals in high esteem the world over. The long heavy, sweeping horns combine with their beautiful flowing manes and chaps to make an impressive trophy that is a desirable addition to any den or trophy room.
Today, Aoudad, enjoy a wide distribution in North America. Besides being found in most zoos and game parks, a large number of feral populations have been established in the southwest. Besides the Trans-Pecos, central hill country and Palo Duro canyon areas of Texas, their range includes New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, California.
The topographical preference of these feisty African immigrants can best be described as the rougher the better. They seem right at home on steep rugged mountain slopes of the arid desert mountains in west Texas or on the gentler rolling hills of the central part of the state. The fact that they are readily expanding in the mountainous desert of the Trans-Pecos region of the Lone Star state attests to their adaptability.
Peek breeding activity usually occurs in late August and early September. After a 5 months gestation period, the ewes will give birth to their young, with twins not being uncommon. The young will reach maturity in about one year. The young females will remain with the herd, becoming associated with the herd structure and part of a family group. Ewes are capable of having their first offspring at around 18 to 20 months of age. This indicates that sexual maturity is reached prior to one year of age. An interesting fact to note is that most of the ewes are onestrous; they only have one heat per year. If they fail to conceive during that time they will lay out until the next breeding season.
Bands of ewes usually consist of several older ewes, their offspring of the year and their yearling ewe lambs. More often than not an older mature male will be part of the herd, but does not remain constantly with them except during the rut. The young males, much like our native whitetail, will break off from the herd to join bachelor groups. Once the young males depart from the herd, they will only return occasionally, except during the rutting season when they will stay closely associated until it passes. Otherwise, these bachelor groups will consist of up to 20 animals that remain together through out most of the year. During the rut, fighting among the males is fierce and goes on constantly, until the end of the breeding season. Occasionally ewe bands are broken up when older mature males will steal several ewes and split them off from the main group.
By and large Aoudad are very territorial and will remain within a few miles, roaming the territory. Their travel patterns are closely associated with salt licks, water and food sources. They will habitually visit these sites periodically.
Aoudad sheep hunting in North America, where they are available in the wild, is one of the best hunting opportunities available in terms of trophy quality and sport. Hunting these elusive creatures, in a true fair chase environment, is an exercise in endurance, patience and preserving. You will walk, sit and glass, over and over, until you spot them and then they will literally seem to materialize out of the landscape itself. They can hide on the bare ground where seeing them will be the trick. Many hunters have spent many hours glassing the same bare slope, without any results, only to have 30 or 40 sheep get up and start grazing on the same spot that had been so closely watched.
In the hands of a competent hunter, Aoudad can be cleanly taken with any rifle, bow, pistol or muzzleloader that has sufficient stopping power to humanely harvest a whitetail. However, most outfitters that will recommend firearms at least in the .270 or .50 caliber class.
The meat from a large old ram is tough and less than tasty. While, like all sheep, the meat of the young and the females can be quite pleasing to the palate. As with all game animals, care must be taken in the field to insure the quality of the meat and hide for later utilization.
When you are deciding how to have your trophy mounted, I would strongly urge you to consider the half-life size mount. It is the only one that does the Aoudad justice as it emphasizes the mane and the chaps as well as their magnificent horns. An Aoudad is must have trophy for any collection.
